"For over a century, g-2 has been teaching us a lot about the nature of nature," said Lawrence Gibbons, professor at Cornell University. The Muon g-2 collaboration at Fermilab in the U.S. has released its final measurement of the muon magnetic anomaly, achieving a precision of 127 parts per billion.
This surpasses the original experimental goal of 140 parts per billion. The result, based on data from 2021-2023, refines the test of the Standard Model of particle physics.
The experiment studies the wobble of muons, fundamental particles with a tiny internal magnet. By measuring the precession speed in a magnetic field, scientists can test theoretical predictions and search for new physics beyond the Standard Model.
While the new measurement aligns with previous findings, its increased precision provides a more stringent benchmark for proposed extensions to the Standard Model. Argonne National Laboratory played a crucial role in designing and operating the trolley system and detectors used to map the magnetic field.
The collaboration will continue to analyze the data for measurements of the muon's electric dipole moment and tests of fundamental symmetries. This achievement underscores the power of international collaboration in pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge.